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eor -  made in germany

Employer of Record (EOR) 

Are you an international company looking to hire employees in Germany without establishing your own local entity?

Our Employer of Record (EOR) service is the ideal solution for legally compliant and hassle-free employment in Germany. We hold the mandatory license from the Federal Employment Agency, ensuring that our service is fully compliant with legal requirements.
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What Does an Employer of Record (EOR) do?

What is an Employer of Record?

An Employer of Record (EOR) is an organization that helps companies expand internationally by employing and paying employees on behalf of another company. EORs assume the responsibility for all formal employment tasks, including payroll processes and compliance documentation.

Simply put, using an Employer of Record (EOR) allows companies to legally and efficiently employ employees in other countries without having to set up a local entity or risk violating local employment laws.
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Your Benefits with worknow 
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Full German Compliance

We ensure that your operations comply with all German labor laws, tax regulations, and social security requirements. With our authorization from the Agentur für Arbeit, we provide you with a fully legal and reliable service,.
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Hassle-Free Payroll

We handle all aspects of payroll, including taxes, social security contributions, and statutory benefits. Your employees get paid on time, every time, while you focus on growing your business.                                                  
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Social Security Compliance

Germany has complex rules for social security, including health, pension, and unemployment insurance. We ensure full compliance with all these obligations, giving you peace of mind.
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One to Three Days

Super fast Onboarding! Go live within 1–3 days once documents are ready — even on weekends. Fast and flexible. We are by far the fastest EOR Provider in Germany.

Focus on what Matters

By letting us take care of all legal and administrative employer duties, you can focus on your core business goals. We handle the back-end compliance so you can drive forward with confidence.

By using our EOR service, you can hire employees in Germany instantly without the lengthy process of setting up a local subsidiary. This gives you the agility to seize opportunities in the German market right away.

staffing on point

why worknow EOR 

Hiring in Germany can be complex – from strict labour leasing regulations to visa requirements and local compliance rules. Many global EOR providers work with standardised processes that look smooth online, but they often don’t reflect the unique reality of the German market. That’s where we step in.

worknow is based in Berlin, Germany, and we combine local expertise with a very personal approach. We don’t just provide documents – we make sure things actually move quickly and smoothly.
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Here’s what you can expect from us ✔︎
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✔︎ Onboarding within 1–3 days – even on weekends, if all documents are ready. Fast, practical and flexible.

✔︎ Full compliance – we operate with a valid German labour leasing licence (AÜG), so your business and your employees are always on the safe side.
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✔︎ Direct personal support – every client and every employee gets a dedicated contact person. Available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, by email, phone or mobile.

✔︎ Local presence – our team members are based in all major German cities, ready to support on the ground.
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✔︎ Transparent fixed pricing – clear monthly fees, no hidden charges with clear communications

✔︎ Proven experience – as the largest supplier of external workforce for Uber & Uber Eats in Germany, we know how to manage complex workforce projects reliably

Why Germany is Especially Complex

Germany is an attractive market, but it also has one of the most regulated employment systems worldwide. A few key challenges include:

  • Strict labor laws: Detailed rules for working hours, vacation, overtime, and termination.
  • Strong employee rights: Notice periods, protections against unfair dismissal, and mandatory co-determination in some cases.
  • Social security obligations: Employers must contribute to health insurance, pension, unemployment, and nursing care insurance — mistakes are costly.
  • Collective agreements: Many industries have binding wage agreements and conditions.
  • Employee leasing regulations (Arbeitnehmerüberlassung): Specific licensing requirements apply when employees are assigned through third parties.

What worknow can do for you in Germany

  • Employee Contracts
  • Payroll & Taxation
  • Benefits Administration
  • Compliance & Risk Management
  • HR & Employee Support

Why Companies Use an EOR in Germany

✔︎  Speed: Hire in Germany within days instead of months.
✔︎  Cost savings: Avoid setting up a German subsidiary or GmbH.
✔︎  Compliance: Navigate complex tax and labor regulations without risk.
✔︎ Talent access: Secure German employees quickly and legally.
✔︎ Focus: Concentrate on your business while the EOR manages legal and administrative tasks.

FAQs for Employer of Record Services
What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a service provider that legally employs people on your behalf in another country. The EOR becomes the official local employer, while you keep full control over your team’s day-to-day work and performance.
Not all EOR providers work the same way. Some have their own legal entities in every country, which means they handle everything in-house and follow local laws directly. Others work through third-party partners or a mix of both. When choosing a provider, it’s important to make sure they’re legally set up in the countries where you want to hire.
How much does an EOR cost?
EOR services are usually priced in two ways: a fixed monthly fee per employee, or as a percentage of the employee’s salary. Fixed fees don’t change based on role or pay, while percentage-based pricing depends on the employee’s compensation level.
Since employment costs vary a lot from country to country, transparency is key. A good EOR will give you a clear cost breakdown with no hidden fees. Be cautious with percentage pricing — it can sometimes push companies to keep salaries low or rely on external contractors. A trustworthy provider will offer fair, predictable pricing that fits your hiring strategy.
What does an EOR actually do?
The main job of an EOR is to act as the legal employer for your team members abroad and handle all the compliance, payroll, and admin work that comes with it. That includes employment contracts, taxes, social contributions, and reporting obligations — all tailored to each country’s local laws.
Because employment regulations differ widely between countries, outsourcing these tasks to an EOR frees you up to focus on strategic priorities like hiring the right people and growing your business, instead of navigating complex local bureaucracy.
How is an EOR involved in payroll?
When you work with an EOR, they take full responsibility for payroll in the countries where you hire. You provide the funds, and the EOR makes sure salaries are paid correctly and on time, while also handling all tax and social security payments required by local authorities.
The big advantage? You don’t need to master every country’s payroll rules or tax system. You focus on your team; the EOR takes care of the legal and financial details.
Can I hire international employees without using an EOR?
Yes, you can — but it’s usually more complicated. You’d need to either set up your own legal entity in the target country or work with freelancers and contractors. Both options have pros and cons.
Setting up a local entity means taking on all legal, tax, and HR responsibilities yourself. This can make sense if you plan to hire a large team in that country. For just a few employees, though, using an EOR is typically faster and more cost-effective.
Freelancer arrangements can work, but there’s a risk of misclassification (treating someone like a contractor when they should legally be an employee). Many countries take this seriously, and penalties can be steep. An EOR helps you stay compliant and avoid that risk.
How do I compare different EOR providers?
When comparing EOR providers, pay attention to:
Coverage: Which countries can they hire in without relying on third parties?
Services: Do they offer payroll, benefits, onboarding, and full compliance?
Compliance: How well do they follow local laws?
Technology: Is their platform modern and easy to use?
The best providers have their own entities in each country, strong data protection practices, and clear processes for handling employee information. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions about compliance, data handling, and how they protect your company’s intellectual property.
Is hiring through an EOR legal?
Yes. In most countries, hiring through an EOR is completely legal. To get the highest level of legal certainty, work with providers that have their own legal entities in the countries where you’re hiring and know the local regulations inside out.
Before signing up, double-check that the provider is actually registered locally and can handle payroll, taxes, and benefits properly. That way, you can hire confidently without running into legal surprises.
What’s the difference between a PEO and an EOR?
An EOR can legally hire employees for you anywhere in the world. A PEO (Professional Employer Organization) can’t — they only support companies that already have a legal entity in the country where the employees are based.
In short:
If you don’t have a legal entity in the country, you’ll need an EOR.
If you do have a legal entity but want help with HR tasks like payroll and benefits, a PEO might be a good fit.
PEOs and EORs offer similar services, but only EORs take on the full legal employment responsibility.
How much support will I get as a new EOR client?
A good EOR won’t leave you on your own. They’ll walk you through every step of the process to make sure everything runs smoothly. Typically, you can expect:
A personal welcome: A dedicated contact person introduces you to the platform and process.
Clear next steps: You’ll get a tailored plan to set up your first hires quickly and correctly.
Platform walkthrough: A guided tour of the tools and features you’ll use.
Ongoing support: Expert help is always available, plus plenty of online resources.
Smooth onboarding: Step-by-step assistance to get your first employees set up without stress.

With worknow, you get the best of both worlds 

the efficiency of a modern EOR service and the reliability of a local partner who is always there when you need support.

Hiring an EOR provider without the necessary Agentur für Arbeit authorization can expose your business to serious risks. Under German law, you could face subsidiary liability, meaning you could be held accountable for any violations of labor, tax, or social security laws committed by your provider. This could result in hefty fines and unexpected back payments.

our pricing

Transparent fees. Reliable service. Local expertise. 

We believe in clear and predictable costs, which is why our pricing model is fully transparent, legally compliant, and tailored to meet the specific requirements of your business in Germany.
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worknow GmbH
Schlüterstraße 37
D-10629 Berlin
+49 (0) 30 887 212 02

info@w-now.de


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